The 2010 Waratahs

[Burgs]

The 2010 Waratahs

December 5, 2009

Props: Al Baxter, Sekope Kepu, Dan Palmer, Benn Robinson, Jeremy Tilse.

Hookers: Damien Fitzpatrick, Adam Freier, Tatafu Polota-Nau.

Second-rowers: Will Caldwell, Cam Jowitt, Hendrik Roodt, Chris Thomson.

Back-rowers: Chris Alcock, Ben Coridas, Ben Mowen, Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh.

Halfbacks: Luke Burgess, Josh Holmes.

Inside backs: Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale, Tom Carter, Daniel Halangahu.

Outside backs: Sosene Anesi, Rob Horne, Drew Mitchell, Nemani Nadolo (formerly Ratu Nasiganiyavi), Rory Sidey, Lachie Turner.

INS AND OUTS


In: Chris Alcock (Gordon, back row), Sosene Anesi (Chiefs NZ, wing/fullback), Berrick Barnes (Queensland Reds, five-eighth/centre), Ben Coridas (Junior Waratahs, back row), Damien Fitzpatrick (Junior Waratahs, hooker), Josh Holmes (Brumbies, halfback), Cam Jowitt (Leinster IRL/Northland NZ, lock/breakaway), Drew Mitchell (Western Force, wing/fullback), Hendrik Roodt (Blue Bulls RSA, lock), Rory Sidey (Newport-Gwent Dragons, centre).

Out: Ben Batger (Pro Recco ITA, fullback), Matt Carraro (Bath ENG, centre), Luke Doherty (Kyuden JPN, lock/breakaway), Matt Dunning (Western Force, prop), Sam Norton-Knight (Cardiff Blues WAL, fullback), Peter Playford (retired, wing), Beau Robinson (Benevento ITA, breakaway), Brett Sheehan (Western Force, halfback), Timana Tahu (Parramatta Eels NRL, centre), Lote Tuqiri (Leicester Tigers ENG, wing).

[sandgroperrugby]

Does anyone know what the go is with Lote's cousin changing his name?

Nemani Nadolo (formerly Ratu Nasiganiyavi) (ignore just seen Burgs post)

It will be interesting to see how Berrick goes playing at 10 behind a decent pack. As well as watching how good this Hendrik Roodt fella is.

[pieter blackie]

Does anyone know what the go is with Lote's cousin changing his name?

Nemani Nadolo (formerly Ratu Nasiganiyavi) (ignore just seen Burgs post)

It will be interesting to see how Berrick goes playing at 10 behind a decent pack. As well as watching how good this Hendrik Roodt fella is.

read this

http://twf.com.au/showthread.php?t=24378

[Lee Grant]

STRENGTHS

• Front Row
Even with Dunning gone the Tahs have good propping with Fat Cat Robinson and Kepu at LHP - and Baxter and arguably the best young no. 3 in the country, 21 y.o. Dan Palmer, at THP. Plus they have the best hooker depth: Wallabies TPN and Freier, plus Oz U/20 captain Fitzpatrick.

• 2nd Row
This is conditional and depends on the quality of unknown Saffer import “Dud” Roodt, a TH lock if I ever saw one. If he lives up to his press the Tahs will have Caldwell, “Dud” and Wallaby Mumm to rotate. This assumes that Caldwell is well recovered from the virus he contracted in the RSA at the end of the 2009 S14. He lost 24kgs and wa delibilitated for a long time.

• Back Row
The Tahs have the best balanced backrow in Oz: Wallabies 7. Waugh and 8. Palu – plus the surprise of 2009 6. Mowen who took the most lineout receptions of any Aussie, including the highest number of steals. However they don't have any back up for Waugh as specialist fetcher after dumping Beau Robinson. His long term replacement, Alcock, won't be up to scratch for some time.

• Back 3
If the Tahs can fix the ball getting out problem (see below) the two new players: Anesi and Mitchell should cause a bit of mischief with Turner.




WEAKNESSES

• Goalkicking
In hindsight goal kicking cost the Tahs a place in the finals last year; since the Crusaders just pipped them at the post. It won't change a lot this year since none of Barnes, Beale, Halangahu nor Turner are consistent goalkickers.

• Halves
This may change with Barnes in Sydney but he may play at 12. If he does, the problems Beale and Halangahu had with the service of Burgess and Sheehan in 2009 will prevail in 2010 even though the dozy Holmes will replace Sheehan.

• Midfield
Despite having good forwards in 2009 and more than its share of good pill, the ball didn't get out as often as it should have. A part of that was the game plan complete with hoisting the ball up too often, but another part was 12 Carter crashballing too much. The Tahs backline worked best in the RSA at the end of the season when “Firewall” Carter was dumped and replaced by Beale at 12 whilst Halangahu played 10.

Whilst there are 6 players in the squad who could play 12, Rob Horne is the only specialist 13. If he does his hammy again, only Sidey is an adequate replacement, though his best spot is one in.

It is unsure where Barnes will be playing, but meantime the midfield is problematic in my eyes.

[James]

The biggest weakness for the Tahs is that a leopard can't change its spots. They have a lot of firepower but its hard to see it being used to full effect. A fifty says Barnes will get injured and out for the season by week 5 too.

[travelling_gerry]

[YOUTUBE]WZb7cXHmihk[/YOUTUBE]

1079 puppies died during the making of this clip.

[GIGS20]

WOW!!!! Matching Lobotomies!